More Q poll: Pitting President Obama against possible Republican challengers shows:• Romney at 45 percent to Obama’s 42 percent; • Obama edging Cain 45 – 41 percent; • Obama at 45 percent to House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s 42 percent; • Obama over Texas Gov. Rick Perry 46 – 40 percent. Cain leads the Republican primary field with 27 percent, followed by Romney at 21 percent, Gingrich at 17 percent and Perry at 5 percent, with no other candidate over 4 percent. In a two-man race, Cain tops Romney 45 – 39 percent. There is a large gender gap as men back Cain 54 – 34 percent while women go with Romney 44 – 35 percent. Florida voters disapprove 52 – 41 percent of the job Obama is doing and say 51 – 43 percent that he does not deserve reelection. The economy is the most important issue in the 2012 presidential election, 55 percent of Florida voters say. Romney would do a better job on the economy, voters say 49 – 39 percent. Cain would do a better job, 45 percent say, compared to 42 percent for Obama. Voters say 40 – 36 percent that Cain is honest and trustworthy compared to 51 – 28 percent for Romney. At total of 39 percent of voters are “very comfortable” or “fairly comfortable” with the idea of Cain as president, compared to 50 percent who are very or somewhat comfortable with Romney. Cain gets a split 36 – 34 percent favorability rating, compared to Romney’s 40 – 28 percent rating. “Of these three swing states President Obama carried in 2008, Florida was the biggest surprise and had the closest margin,” said Brown. “Florida is shaping up to be the closest swing state again in 2012 and it’s a fair bet that a year from now, it will be the toughest of the Big Three for Obama to carry.” “If speculation that Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida could be the GOP’s vice presidential nominee proves correct, that would make the Sunshine State even a tougher sale for the president,” said Brown.

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